According to new airport figures, the number of people that rode Walt Disney World’s shuttle from Orlando International Airport dropped by 1 percent in the first half of the year.
Disney’s Magical Express bused about 1.1 million people passengers from the airport to various Disney World hotels, which is about 11,000 people fewer than the first half of 2011. It was also the lowest total for the first half of a year since 2007.
Despite the decrease in passengers, Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger says “ridership alone isn’t an indicator 0f business performance.” She went on to say:
Disney’s Magical Express is a popular service provided to our guests. While our guests appreciate the service, it also positively impacts the airport and our community in numerous ways.
The shuttle is provided complimentary to hotel guests, and serves as a lure to encourage visitors to stay in Disney hotels rather than cheaper, off-property hotels.
